The apparance and development of the „theatrical" portrait asa variety offancyOdress images is strait connected with thegrowth of popularity ofscenic art and with pcculiaritics of its evolution in Russia in the XVIII ccntury. The analysis and comparison of the artistic material and historical sources allow us to come to the conclusion that general tendencies consist in transition from baroque to classicism both in theatrical production and painting. The XVIII century bents for allegory so performances and pictures often conceal a proclaiming or didactic sense.